Auburn University
Location: Auburn, Alabama
Students: 25,469 (20,446 undergrad)
Overall Record against USC: Auburn leads the series -8-1-1, which includes 6 straight wins against USC not to mention twice last year.
Head Coach: Gene Chizik (3rd season as head coach, overall record 25-6).
2011 Season: 3-1 with a win over Florida Atlantic last week 30-14.
Famous Alumni: Jimmy Wales (co-founder of Wikipedia), Bo Jackson (NFL, 1985 Heisman), Charles Barkley(NBA, TNT), Jimmy Buffett (Singer), Frank Thomas (MLB), and Tim Hudson (Braves Pitcher).
A new year for AU: Auburn got the best of USC last year but I have a feeling 2011 will be a lot better and a lot different for both squads. For USC, getting the Tigers at home doesn’t hurt. USC hasn’t played the prettiest brand of football but the Gamecocks are 4-0 for the first time under Spurrier. Auburn lost a lot of playmakers including Heisman trophy winner Cam Newton from last years team and has shown that their defense is not a strong as last year. Safe to say, USC should have their way with AU as this is not the Tigers of 2010.
Let’s break this game down further:
Auburn offense: Auburn’s offense is led by their backfield, consisting of Michael Dyer and Onterio McCalebb. On the season, they have combined for 589 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns. Quarterback Barrett Trotter is completing a little over 60% of his passes on the season. Trotter on the season has passed for 783 yards, and 8 touchdowns, and only 3 interceptions. Trotters go to receiver is Emory Blake who has the ability to give the Gamecocks secondary trouble. Blake has 317 yards on 13 receptions, and 4 touchdowns on the season.
Defense wins: Auburn’s defense is lead by one of the top tacklers in the SEC, senior safety Neiko Thorpe has 40 tackles on the season and 1 interception. In front of Thorpe is linebacker Daren Bates, who is second on the team with 33 tackles. Auburn’s defense has had trouble stopping the run all season, giving up 226 rushing yards per game. Auburn’s defense is also giving up 31 points per game this season. I expect Coach Spurrier to use Lattimore early and often to rack up the rushing yards. Auburn will stack the box and make Garcia beat them with his arm. Look for Alshon to finally find his rythem and have a big game.
Prediction time: Williams Brice will be rocking on Saturday afternoon and this will play a big part in the game. Just like the first 4 games, South Carolina will start slow but will find there groove. Lattimore will be the main focus of the offense once again but Garica will have to step up if Carolina wants to win big.
USC’s defense played lights out last weekend against Vandy, and this will carry over on Saturday. Stopping Dyer from having a big day should be at the top of the list. Auburn will be able to score but in the end USC’s defense will prevail.
USC 28 Auburn 17
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